Wigan Borough’s Memory Walk returns to Leigh free

BE beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-06-04 21:07 3 min read

Music, walking shoes and family activity will return to Pennington Flash this summer as Wigan Borough’s Memory Walk comes back to Leigh for its annual fundraiser.

The event takes place on Sunday 5 July at 11am at Pennington Flash, Leigh. It is free to join, donations are encouraged, and all proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Society. Organised by Wigan Council’s Be Well leisure and wellbeing service, the walk is open to everyone, with a full 5km route and a shorter accessible stroll available.

July walk at Pennington Flash

This year’s Wigan Borough’s Memory Walk is being staged at Pennington Flash nature reserve, giving participants a choice between a 5km route around the site or a shorter walk lasting around 20 minutes.

The shorter option is intended to make the fundraiser more accessible for people who may not want to take on the longer distance. The source details do not list further accessibility arrangements, so anyone with specific needs should check directly through the Be Well Wigan registration route before attending.

The event has been running for 13 years and has already raised thousands of pounds towards dementia care and research. More than 300 people attended last year’s Memory Walks at Pennington Flash and Haigh Woodland Park, raising more than £3,000 for the charity.

Councillor Chris Ready, Wigan Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said dementia continues to have a devastating impact locally and urged residents to support the Alzheimer’s Society’s work.

“Unlike in recent years, this will be our only Memory Walk for 2026 – so we really want to make it our biggest and best one yet,” he said.

Routes, music and family activity

The practical appeal of the Leigh event is that it is not built around one fixed pace or distance. People can choose the full 5km route around the nature reserve or join the shorter 20-minute stroll.

Alongside the walk, organisers say there will be music and family fun, including a special adventure trail for children. Pennington Flash’s usual attractions, including its nature-themed play area, are also referenced by the council in the event notice.

The fundraising focus is the Alzheimer’s Society, which supports families affected by dementia, funds research and campaigns on dementia care and awareness. Pauline Blackie, the Alzheimer’s Society’s dementia cafe coordinator for Wigan Borough, said the charity was grateful for the work of Be Well and Wigan Council in making the annual walk a meaningful event.

“Every donation we receive gets us one step closer to a world where dementia no longer devastates lives,” she said.

What to know before going

People can register in advance through the Be Well Wigan app or website. Registration will also be available on the day, but signing up ahead of time is expected to save time and secure a certificate of participation.

Those who donate £10 or more will receive a special Memory Walk souvenir tote bag. Donations can be made on the day or through the official JustGiving page, with every penny going to the Alzheimer’s Society.

Source: Wigan Council

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Source check Source trail

Event details were taken from Wigan Council's published notice and cross-checked for date, venue, cost and registration information.

Checks

• Confirmed the event date as Sunday 5 July and the start time as 11am.
• Confirmed the venue as Pennington Flash in Leigh.
• Confirmed that the event is free to join, with donations encouraged for the Alzheimer's So...
• Confirmed that registration is available through the Be Well Wigan app or website and on t...

Wigan Council Check wider coverage

Source

Wigan Council

Scope

Leigh

Updated

2026-06-04 21:07

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Article contextPeople & topics2#7

Chris ReadyPauline Blackie

#Alzheimer's Society#Be Well Wigan#Dementia fundraiser#Family walk#Leigh#Pennington Flash#Wigan Borough's Memory Walk

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